Max Verstappen takes pole after wild qualifying session at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Max Verstappen claimed his sixth pole position of the 2025 Formula One season in a qualifying session that will go down as one of the most chaotic in recent memory.

On the streets of Baku, the Red Bull driver kept his composure through a barrage of red flags and accidents to secure the top spot on the grid, finally conquering a circuit where he had never previously started from pole.

Saturday’s session was anything but straightforward. Across Q1, Q2 and Q3 there were no fewer than six red-flag stoppages, caused by a mixture of driver errors and the treacherous conditions brought on by a damp track. The tight walls of Baku’s street circuit proved unforgiving, and even some of the sport’s biggest names were caught out.

Charles Leclerc, who had taken four consecutive poles at this track in recent years, crashed heavily in Q3, ending his streak and leaving him tenth on the grid. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri also found the barriers late in the final session, ruining his chances and dropping him to ninth.

Further down the field, Alex Albon hit the wall in Q1, consigning himself to a back-row start. Even Lewis Hamilton, despite showing competitive pace in practice, failed to string together a clean lap in Q2 and could do no better than twelfth.

Amid the chaos, Verstappen delivered when it mattered. The Dutchman’s lap was clean, controlled and quick enough to fend off Williams’ Carlos Sainz, who will line up alongside him on the front row. Rising star Liam Lawson impressed with third for Racing Bulls, while Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell locked out the second row in fourth and fifth. Yuki Tsunoda also impressed for Red Bull, securing sixth.

For Verstappen, this latest pole brings his season tally to six, underlining his ability to perform under pressure. His other poles this year came at Suzuka, Jeddah, Silverstone, Monza and earlier in the season, with Baku now added to the list. The lap also marked the 46th pole of his career, keeping him among Formula 1’s all-time great qualifiers.

Yet while Verstappen can celebrate, the bigger story of the day was the sheer attrition rate. Six stoppages in a single qualifying session is almost unprecedented in modern Formula 1, underlining both the unique challenge of Baku and the desperation among drivers to secure track position in a tightly fought championship.

The stage is now set for a fascinating race on Sunday. Verstappen will look to convert pole into victory at a venue renowned for safety cars and drama, while Sainz and Lawson will be eager to capitalise on their best grid positions of the season.

McLaren, despite starting seventh and ninth, remain contenders thanks to their strong race pace — but they will need to stay clear of the chaos that Baku so often produces.